The structure of the final session is different from that of the previous sessions.
Instead of working on hot spots in the imaginal exposure, have the patient tell her entire newly-processed memory from start to finish.
This retelling should include as much detail as possible.
The goal of this final retelling is for the patient to put the whole memory together and organize it in her mind.
If there is time, have the patient tell her narrative twice.
Instead of processing afterward, ask the patient questions to get her to think about the progress she's made over the course of therapy.
Finally, take some time to review the skills the patient learned and plan how the patient can continue using these skills after the conclusion of therapy.
Have the patient re-rate each item on her in-vivo hierarchy, assigning new SUDS ratings to each.
Show the completed SUDS log to the patient. Discuss which items changed and why they changed.
If any items did not change, discuss why and make a plan for continued exposure work with those items.
Discuss changes in the patient's self-reported PTSD symptoms over the course of treatment.
Review which aspects of treatment were the most and least helpful.
Plan continued practice of any skills the patient feels she still needs to work on.
Prepare her for the possible temporary recurrence of PTSD symptoms.
Actual relapses are very rare, but some symptoms might temporarily re-occur.
This is usually the result of a stressful situation in life.